Chapter 9: Interior Finishes

This chapter provides a consolidated discussion of the types of finishes required in Head Start centers, establishes the baseline finishes for walls, floors and ceilings, and discusses acceptable options.

9.1 General Requirements
Because safety is of the utmost importance, finishes shall meet all local or state smoke and flame retardant requirements. In addition, designers should consider toxicity and the off-gassing of materials.

Because children are more vulnerable to toxic materials than adults, it is important to adopt the following rigorous requirements:

• Test carpets for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and request a green label from the Carpet and Rug Institute indicating that the carpet emissions are within the acceptable range.
  
• Ensure that the carpet meets the State of Washington Standards. Adhesives should be the least toxic, effective products available. Reference the AIA Environmental Resource Guide, with the 1997 supplement.
• The carpet should be recyclable to reduce the nation’s waste stream.
  
• HSB supports compliance with the GSA’s Facilities Standards for Public Buildings Services as it pertains to flame spread ratings and smoke development.
  
• Formaldehyde. Products should contain less than 0.05 parts per million (PPM) of formaldehyde or have tested emission levels of formaldehyde lower than 0.05 ppm. Any product purchased with formaldehyde levels above 0.05 PPM must bear a label in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1048. Provide chamber tests of materials to substantiate formaldehyde content. Give preference to products made with zero added formaldehyde. (See also Section 8.1.4 in Chapter 8.)
  
• Sequence the installation of finishes in a manner consistent with EPA’s protocol for Environmental Requirements, Baseline IAQ and Materials, for the Research Triangle Park Campus, Section 01445. This will allow adequate time in the construction schedule to ventilate gas-containing materials prior to the installation of absorptive materials (carpet, acoustical tiles, and upholstered furniture). In new centers, allow up to a month between the installation of materials that need to off-gas and the occupancy of the center. Renovations should allow the maximum feasible time of one month and no less than one week to off-gas. If necessary, use mechanical means to ventilate the space once renovation is complete.
  
• Durability, maintenance requirements, life cycle costs, appropriateness, and aesthetics of materials must be considered when choosing finishes. In addition, the selection should be environmentally sensitive.

Consider the following:

• Recycled content materials, following EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG), where possible.
  
• Locally manufactured materials, where possible, including locally mined or harvested raw materials and/or locally manufactured end products, to reduce transportation impacts.
  
• FSC-certified sustainable harvested wood for minimum 50 percent of all wood materials, including temporary formwork as well as permanent building components.
  
• Rapidly renewable, bio-based materials (such as fiberboards made from non-wood agricultural materials).
  
• Low-embodied energy materials.
  
• Materials whose components have zero ozone-depleting potential.
  
• Zero- or low-VOC adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings, CRI Green Label carpeting and formaldehyde-free composite wood or agrifiber products, where applicable.
  
• Low-maintenance materials, requiring minimal use of cleaning products or equipment.
  
• Materials that are likely to have a long life expectancy when installed in a Head Start facility.
  
• Materials that can be recycled or are biodegradable after their useful life.
  
• Finishes should feel “home-like.” Small-scale finish materials, such as bricks, are typically preferable to large pre-cast panels, because the brick’s dimension is more congruent with the size of a child. Finishes should emphasize natural materials, and harmonize a variety of textures, colors, and shapes.

All construction should be designed for safe use by children and should comply with the following criteria:

• Rounded (bullnose) outside corners (minimum radius 1/2 inch).
  
• Non-toxic finishes.
  
• Finished hardwood with eased edges to reduce splinters.
  
• Slip-resistant floor coverings.
  
• Sealed seams and joints for sanitary cleaning and reduction of tripping hazards.
  
• No projecting connections.
  
• Impervious finishes in wet areas.
  
• Protective resilient fall zones under interior climbing equipment in accordance with the Handbook for Public Playground Safety, US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  
• Additional protection for gypsum wallboard, such as veneered plaster, impact resistant wallboard, or fiberglass wall covering to “toughen”otherwise vulnerable surfaces in high use areas.

9.2 Color and Texture

Both color and texture have a great impact on children. The sense of touch is directly related to cognitive development, and color has far-reaching effects influencing behavior. While cool colors tend to have a calming effect and warm colors tend to create warmth and excitement, neither extreme is desirable.

9.2.1 Use of Color
Overstimulation and excited behavior can result from the overuse of a strong color scheme. The predominant color above the level of the wainscot should be neutral. Stronger, more vivid colors may be applied on one wall in corridors and along the rear walls of classrooms (opposite windows). Bear in mind that children’s clothing is usually much more colorful than that of adults, and their toys and art add a great deal of color to the environment. Too little color is better than too much in an environment where children will spend a great deal of time. Avoid complex patterns on walls and floor coverings. Select colors appropriate to the activity using color cues to identify particular areas. Warm as opposed to bright hues are preferred.

9.2.2 Use of Texture
Provide a variety of textures on surfaces within reach of children, especially for infants and toddlers. Soft textures promote relaxed and quiet behavior when used in quiet or sleeping areas. Hard textures are more appropriate for large motor activity areas where livelier behavior occurs. Subtle, varied, natural textures are encouraged, since they are soothing and interesting to children.

9.3 Types of Finish Materials

The following sections contain guidelines for finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings and discuss issues to consider when selecting finishes.

9.3.1 Wall Finishes
Paint: Paint should be non-toxic with 200 grams/liter of VOC or less. Consider paint which contains a minimum of 50 percent post-consumer waste paint taken from community collections. In addition, it should be lead and chromate free as defined by Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines, and should not contain any of the EPA 17 chemicals. More information is available on the Internet from GSA’s Paints and Chemicals Center at 1-800-241-RAIN (7246) or GSA Advantage! at the following address: http://www.gsa.gov.

High-build coatings: High-build coatings are durable, can be scrubbed, and should be used in high-wear areas. Allow ample time to off-gas in projects when specified.

Glazed coatings: Glazed coatings are appropriate for wet areas.

Vinyl wall coverings: Type II vinyl wall coverings are durable with Oznaburg fabric backing. Vinyl wall coverings should be neutral in color and scrubbable. Allow ample time to off-gas in projects when specified. Reference the AIA Environmental Resource Guide with Supplements for guidance on adhesives. Vinyl coverings typically may require corner guards to deter delaminating at corners in a high-use facility. Ensure that corner guards have a minimum 1/2-inch radius bullnose.

Textiles: Textiles on vertical surfaces within reach of children are not recommended, but they work well for surfaces, such as bulletin boards above children’s reach.

Glazed ceramic tile: Glazed ceramic tile is appropriate for wet areas, such as toilets and kitchens. Ceramic tile is durable, non-porous, and easily cleaned, especially if the grout material is epoxy. Sound deflection can be a problem with this type of finish.

Display surfaces: Marker boards and magnet boards may be provided as a wainscot up to 3 feet or higher. Display systems requiring tacks should not be used nor should tape which may damage finishes. The baseline amount of space available for display for each classroom should be 8 feet long and 3 feet high. Consider using art wax equipment, which allows children’s art to adhere to finishes without clamps, tacks, or tape.

Mirrors: Provide shatterproof mirror surfaces, particularly in crawling and toddler areas. Install grab bars in front of mirrors for infants and toddlers. Mirrors should be acrylic or reflective metal and mirror space for infants and toddlers should be 6 feet long and 1.5 feet high per classroom.

9.3.2 Floor Finishes
Carpet: Carpet is appropriate in quiet areas and crawling spaces. Fixed carpet over a large area is not recommended since carpets can retain dust and other allergens to which many children are susceptible. The carpet selected should include a high-quality yarn system (currently type 6.6 nylon) with inherent stain resistance; a minimum face yarn density of 5000; low-level loop or cut-pile construction (maximum pile height, 1/4 inch); a minimum of 10 stitches per inch; and an anti-microbial feature; a 6 foot minimum width, and a backing system. The recommended backing system should be bonded permanently with a permanent moisture barrier and installed with factory-applied adhesive with seams sealed on-site. The designer also should consider using a carpet with subtle flecks, patterns, or color variations that do not accentuate wear. Refer to the AIA Environmental Resource Guide, 1997 Supplement, for environmental recommendations including the recommended types of adhesive.

Sheet vinyl: Sheet vinyl is recommended for children’s toilets, wet areas, and kitchens. Sheet vinyl is capable of receiving chemically sealed seams at joints and an integral cove base to create a moisture barrier. Provide a highquality commercial grade with high vinyl content, a minimum 0.05-inch wear layer, and 860 kPa. Provide slip-resistant materials in wet areas. The designer should consider using material with subtle flecks, patterns, or color variations, which do not accentuate scuffs and wear. This material should not be used without adequate time to off-gas, as defined above.

Resilient vinyl tile: Although this material is economical, it requires higher maintenance than sheet vinyl. It is durable and can be scrubbed but cannot form a moisture barrier because it has many joints.

Linoleum: Linoleum is a material without the off-gassing problems associated with vinyl, is durable and can be used under the same conditions as vinyl.

Fluid-applied flooring: This material can be costly but is durable, easily cleaned, and can create a moisture barrier. However, it also can result in an undesirable, institutional appearance. This material should not be used without adequate time to off-gas.

Sealed concrete: Sealed concrete is economical and appropriate for hardsurface areas. With an appropriate admixture, stain, and finish, it can dispel the impression that it is unfriendly or industrial.

Rugs: Rugs provide comfort and are economical. Tripping and slipping hazards created by rugs should be addressed through use of proper underlayment pads designed for rugs or by the use of effective edge binding and transitions. Non-slip surfacing on the reverse side of throw rugs is essential.

Ceramic mosaic slip-resistant tile: Ceramic mosaic slip-resistant tile is appropriate and decorative for wet areas.

9.4 Ceilings

Because acoustical ceiling tile is economical, most children’s areas use this type of tile, 0.8 to 1 inch thick, for effective acoustical ceiling treatment. When the ceiling is too low and fluorescent fixtures are integral with the ceiling, 2x2 feet fixtures render a less institutional appearance and offer greater flexibility. The designer should consider the benefits of incorporating other materials such as gypsum board bulkheads and soffits, as well as a variety of lighting that produce a more home-like environment.

Painted gypsum board is appropriate in areas with soffits, ceiling height changes, vaults, or wet areas. Gypsum board is not recommended for ceiling areas where ceiling access is required for plumbing, air conditioning, or other equipment.

Exposed structural ceiling elements provide children with an interesting environment and may increase the perceived height in low spaces. This can require acoustical treatment such as the addition of acoustical baffles.

Luminous ceilings should not be used in areas occupied by children.

Ceiling tiles should have high recycled content varying by manufacturer and style. Ceiling tiles should be of high (80 percent minimum) light reflectance to enhance the lighting quality of interior spaces. Limited use of mirrored ceiling tiles is encouraged over an activity area (2 meter squared maximum per classroom).

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